Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks: Game 49

Games against Chicago are always fun. It makes me wish the Wild and Hawks were in the same division like back in the days of the North Stars. Those were fun times. However, this matchup is going to be even more fun. First, I angered the entire city by stating that I do not believe Crawford is Calder worthy. It even got to the point where I had to block one of my fellow writers at TFP because of the vitriol aimed at me, since I did not know that the tandem of Truco and Crawford had ended.

My apologies to the entire fan base, and hockey fans in general for not knowing everything about all 30 teams.

The other reason I like Hawks game is because it sometimes gives us the chance to participate in the publication "The Committed Indian." It is a pdf file created by one of the writers, Sam Fels, at Second City Hockey. The file is below. Be warned... the language is harsh, and you may be offended. Keep your sense of humor engaged, and it is good clean American fun.

Committed Indian

On to the game. 

I will admit I do not follow the Hawks very closely. Thus I cannot speak to team status, or what the emotional state is, but any team with Towes, Kane, and Hossa is plenty scary to me.

The keys to victory tonight? Capitalize on any power plays and play shut down defensive hockey. To get in a run and gun is not going to work. While "The Comeback" was stunning, it  is not going to happen every night. The Wild will need to play like they did against the Canucks to beat the Hawks. Fast, hard, and physical. Anything less will be a disaster.

Five Questions:

1. Will Carey Crawford make me look silly?

2. Can the Wild shut down the Hawks offense?

3. How do the dueling All-Stars look for the Wild?

4. Can Koivu find the back of the net tonight?

5. Will the fan bases in Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Houston ever forgive me?